A self reference-counting pointer that keeps the reference count of the object within the pointer-object that does not impose any restrictions on the object itself and can be used freely on objects already created. A reference count object is created and is attached to a pointer-object of the object when the first instance of the object is created. When subsequent references or copies of the object are made, the reference count is incremented, and the pointer object associated with the subsequent reference or copy of the object are attached to the reference count object. When any instance of the object goes out of scope, the pointer-object to that instance is detached from the reference count object and the reference count is decremented. When there are no instances of the object attached to the reference counter, then the reference counter is deleted.